The Rocky Mountain region experienced its third busiest ski season since record-keeping began in 1978, according to preliminary data released by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). The data underscores a growing appetite for winter sports across the Mountain West.
Nationally, U.S. ski areas recorded approximately 61.5 million skier visits during the 2024–25 season, marking a nearly 2% increase over the previous season. This figure represents the highest total since the 2022–23 season.
The Rocky Mountain region—which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—accounted for nearly 43% of all skier visits in the U.S. Additionally, the number of operational ski areas nationwide rose from 484 to 492.
NSAA President and CEO Michael Reitzell described the season as a potential new benchmark for the industry. “The 2024–25 season may come to represent a new baseline for the industry. Even if ‘normal’ continues to evolve, this season gives us a strong point of reference for what steady, healthy growth looks like,” Reitzell said in a statement.
The surge in visitation follows the 2022–23 season, which was characterized as an outlier driven by increased interest in outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to NSAA data, season pass holders accounted for approximately half of all skier visits in the U.S., while standard day lift ticket users comprised about 32%.
In Utah alone, an estimated 6.75 million people visited the state’s 15 ski resorts during the 2023–24 season, with official figures for the 2024–25 season expected to be released by Ski Utah following the season’s conclusion.
